Page 13 - Maria Constantino "The Knot Handbook"

Laid rope
Three-strand, or laid rope, is made of
natural fibres w hich have been twisted
together in a clockwise (or right-
z handed) direction to create
0
long yarns. Several of th ese
1-
u
:::> yarns are then twisted ' f ~
c ;
0 together in an anti-
a:: clockwise (or left-
1-
z handed) direction to I I
create a strand. Then,
three strands are twisted
" '
together in a clockwise
(right-handed) direction to
create the typical rope known
as a hawser. The direction of the
twist in a three-strand rope is called
the lay of the rope. Rope is described as
S-laid (left-laid) or Z-laid (right laid). Most An Alpine coil, using a synthetic rope made
in the laid manner.
three-strand rope is Z-laid. It is unusual, but
not unknown, to have S-laid rope: it is gener-
ally found in cable which is made from. three
lengths of Z-laid ropes twisted togeth er. Synthetic (manmade) cordage
It is the counteracting directions of the Although natural-fibre ropes are stro ng,
twists in a rope that give it its strength and because the fibres are short and do not extend
produce enough fri ction to keep it in shape. the entire length of the rope, they are not as
Even when a strand is uncoiled from a rope, strong as synthetic ropes, which are made
the remaining two strands will still cling from fibres that are one continuous length. A
together and it is possible to see the gap w here three-strand, or laid, nylon rope is n10re than
the ni.issing strand would lie. Until the Second twice as strong as a Manila rope of the same
World War, ail rope was generally laid, or length. Furthermore, the nylon rope weighs
three-strand construction. half as much and is four times more durable.